What Is a Pivotal Behavior in ABA?

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a pivotal behavior is a foundational skill that, when learned, leads to widespread and positive changes in many other, untargeted areas of a person's life. Instead of teaching hundreds of individual skills one by one, focusing on a few pivotal behaviors can unlock a cascade of new skills. The concept was developed by researchers Robert and Lynn Koegel, who focused on a naturalistic ABA approach called Pivotal Response Training (PRT).

What Is the ABA Pivotal Behavior Definition?

The pivotal behavior ABA definition centers on skills that are central to a person's development. A key characteristic is that a pivotal behavior can lead to spontaneous and broad improvements across different settings and situations. It's like teaching a child how to read; once they learn that one skill, it opens up the ability to learn countless other things, from history to science, without direct instruction on those subjects.

Examples of Pivotal Behavior in ABA

There are four core examples of pivotal behavior ABA:

1. Motivation: This is arguably the most crucial pivotal behavior. It involves a person’s willingness to learn, engage, and try new things. A therapist can foster motivation by using a child’s own interests and favorite items to drive learning. For example, a child who loves trains might be motivated to learn new words by talking about trains. When a child is motivated, they are more likely to initiate interactions and persist through challenges.

2. Self-Initiation: This is the ability to independently start an interaction or activity. Instead of just responding to a prompt, a person with good self-initiation skills might spontaneously say, "I want a snack!" or "Let's play!" Teaching this skill empowers individuals to communicate their needs and wants without waiting for a cue. An excellent pivotal behavior ABA example is teaching a child to ask questions, as this simple act allows them to gain information and learn independently.

3. Self-Management: This skill involves a person's ability to monitor and regulate their own behavior and emotions. It includes skills like following a schedule, managing frustration, and making appropriate choices. Teaching self-management gives individuals the tools to navigate a wide variety of social and academic situations on their own, leading to greater independence.

4. Responding to Multiple Cues: This is the ability to pay attention to more than one piece of information at a time. Many individuals with autism tend to focus on a single detail, which can limit their learning. Teaching them to respond to multiple cues—like the color and shape of an object—helps them generalize what they've learned to new contexts.

Pivotal Behavior ABA vs. Behavioral Cusp

A common question is the difference between a pivotal behavior ABA vs. behavioral cusp. While both lead to widespread change, they are not the same.

• A pivotal behavior focuses on internal, foundational skills that promote spontaneous learning and social interaction. For example, increased motivation leads to more spontaneous learning.

• A behavioral cusp is a skill that opens up new environments and opportunities. Learning to walk is a behavioral cusp because it gives a child access to new places and social interactions that were not possible before.

In summary, pivotal behavior ABA offers an efficient and effective way to promote lasting and significant progress by targeting core skills that are central to a person's development and independence.